SUBJECT

REF

We have noted press and posts' reporting that the GOI is under increasing pressure to authorize and facilitate
the establishment of civilian settlements in the occupied areas. Existing
settlements in the Golan Heights, Sinai, and at Etzion were justified by the
GOI as para-military encampments serving
security purposes. Recent reports (Tel Aviv A-716) indicate that these
settlements are taking on aspects of permanent, civilian, kibbutz-like
operations and some are, in fact, civilian kibbutzim [Page 269]with Nahal covers. Thus far, we have no
information on the establishment of settlements by the 17 groups which Prime
Minister Eshkol announced in the
Knesset February 26 he had approved. While there was no suggestion in his
statement that these groups would be associated with Nahal, we note that the
groups filed applications with the GOI and
it seems probable they are non-Nahal.

Although we have expressed our views to the Foreign Ministry and are
confident there can be little doubt among GOI leaders as to our continuing opposition to any Israeli
settlements in the occupied areas, we believe it would be timely and useful
for the Embassy to restate in strongest terms the US position on this
question.

You should refer to Prime Minister Eshkol's Knesset statement and our awareness of internal
Israeli pressures for settling civilians in occupied areas. The GOI is aware of our continuing concern that
nothing be done in the occupied areas which might prejudice the search for a
peace settlement. By setting up civilian or quasi-civilian outposts in the
occupied areas the GOI adds serious
complications to the eventual task of drawing up a peace settlement.
Further, the transfer of civilians to occupied areas, whether or not in
settlements which are under military control, is contrary to Article 49 of
the Geneva Convention,3 which states
“The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian
population into the territory it occupies.” Finally, you should emphasize
that no matter what rationale or explanation is put forward by the GOI, the establishment of civilian settlements
in the occupied areas creates the strong appearance that Israel, contrary to
the principle set forth in the UNSC
Resolution and to US policy expressed in the President's speech of June 19,
does not intend to reach a settlement involving withdrawal from those
areas.

Telegram 2722 from Tel Aviv, March 1, reported on a
question-and-answer session in the Knesset on February 26 during
which Eshkol answered
questions dealing with Jewish settlement in the occupied
territories, and discussed the negotiability of Jerusalem. (Ibid.)
In airgram A-716 from Tel Aviv, March 29, the Embassy reported on
the growth of six Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights area.
(Ibid., REF ISR) Airgram A-176 from Jerusalem, March 6, reported on
an Israeli settlement developing at a former Jordanian Army
installation on the Dead Sea. (Ibid., POL 27 ARAB-ISR)↩

Reference is to the
Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time
of War, August 12, 1949. (6 UST
3516,TIAS 3365)↩